Used as a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other central nervous system (CNS) active compounds. Its rigid cyclopropane scaffold and defined stereochemistry enhance binding selectivity and metabolic stability in drug candidates. It is also employed in the preparation of bioactive molecules where stereochemical control is critical for activity. The phenolic hydroxyl group allows for further functionalization, such as glycosylation or ether formation, enabling structural diversification for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.